Best and Worst Foods for Kid’s Teeth, Explained by a Pediatric Dentist in Auburn, MA

The foods your children eat are just as important as their brushing and flossing habits when it comes to what your pediatric dentist in Auburn, MA will see during a routine exam. Healthy foods are low in sugar and simple carbs and high in protein and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated ones have a high sugar and acid content and lack crucial nutrients.

The Top Five Tooth-Friendly Foods for Kids

The following foods belong on anyone’s list of things to eat:

1. Low-fat protein sources. These include lean cuts of turkey, chicken, and beef. Chicken or turkey breast are especially good options. Vegetarian protein sources include tofu, tempeh, beans, nuts, and legumes.
2. High-fiber, low-starch fruits and vegetables. Not only do they provide the body with critical nutrients, they actually help to keep the teeth clean due to their rough texture. Good choices include broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, and cauliflower.
3. Low and reduced-fat dairy products. Good choices include skim milk, yogurt with no added sugar, and reduced fat cheeses. These foods are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for healthy teeth and bones.
4. Sugarless chewing gum. Studies show that the simple act of chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, helping to keep teeth free of plaque and tartar.
5. Water. This is the only beverage any of us need in order to stay strong and healthy. Water not only keeps the organs of our body hydrated, it’s also key to the production of saliva, which has powerful anti-plaque properties.

Five Foods That Are Bad for Teeth and Gums

Knowing what to eat is important for oral health. But it’s just as important to know what types of food to avoid. Stay away from these five major offenders:

1. Sodas. Sugary carbonated beverages do double damage to teeth and gums. The sugar by itself promotes cavities, while the high acid content of most soft drinks causes enamel erosion.
2. Sticky, sugary sweets. You can think of desserts and junk foods like candy, cake, pies, etc. as sugar-coated time bombs. They stick to teeth long after the meal is over, encouraging plaque formation and eroding enamel.
3. Simple starches. These include cooked white potatoes, potato chips, white rice, white bread, and regular pasta. They turn into sugar quickly, promoting cavities and causing weight gain.
4. Sports and energy drinks. The manufacturers of these products market them as safe and healthy. In reality, though, they’re usually packed with sugar and are high in acid, two things that not only can ruin teeth but harm overall health as well.
5. Flavored waters. Many of these products contain added sugar and other health-robbing properties. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up the plain taste of regular water, then try adding a tiny squirt of lime or lemon juice instead.

Raising healthy kids means knowing the difference between nutritious and harmful foods. Feed your children the right stuff and you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of watching them grow up with healthy teeth and gums. That’s a sound plan for family success, both now and in the future.

About the Author

Dr. Anubha Sacheti is a skilled dentist with years of experience caring for both kids and adults. She earned her DMD degree from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. You can reach her office online or by calling (508) 832-6278.